I’ve come to the realization that life is a whole lot easier if you can laugh at yourself. There are times when situations arise that, if you let them, could really turn your day upside down. However, if you respond with laughter (in certain circumstances), you might just be able to see the humor, the joy, the lesson in it all.

Because…sometimes life is like a cat that relieves itself on you.

Let me back up a bit.

So, yesterday, I was rocking out to the sounds of The Clash with Sammie and Jocelyn. We have a blue beanbag chair in our front room that the girls love to dive into. Well, in the midst of dancing to The Clash’s version of “I Fought The Law and the Law Won”, I look over to see Jocelyn dive into the beanbag. I didn’t really think much of it…until I saw her splashing her hands in some kind of liquid.

My first thought was, “Oh man, the lid came off of her drink.” However, as I got closer, I noticed that the liquid sure didn’t smell like water.

I then realized that it was all over her pajamas…did she vomit? I asked her, and as any almost 17-month old would do, she nodded in affirmation.

I wish it was vomit…Instead, it was cat urine.

So, I began to go into a full rant, “Stupid cat! Why would that stupid cat pee on the beanbag chair?”

I quickly picked up Jocelyn and headed to the tub. She was totally having a great time! I continued my rant, letting Emily fully know how disgusted I was with her cat.

And, I became totally self-righteous as I protested under my breath while bathing Jocelyn. “Why am I having to clean Jocelyn up? It’s not my stupid cat. I’m not the one who shut the door to the room where the cat box is.Blah, blah, blah!!!”

So, Jocelyn was having a great time in the tub…and I couldn’t help but laugh…that is, until I had to clean up the cat.

“Why do I have to give the stupid cat a bath? It’s not my stupid cat to begin with.”

And, I sort of got what I deserved. As the cat and I headed into the bathroom, I noticed that my shirt was getting rather warm. And, the warmth was accompanied by the feeling of liquid running down my shirt and pants.

I’d been hit! The stupid cat got me! “Your stupid cat is peeing on me!”

While bathing the cat, I began to see the humor in it all.

My daughter…playing in cat urine…thinking it was tons of fun.

My fat and lazy cat…relieving herself on me…probably out of fear and confusion.

There I was, covered in stinky cat pee, and I just had to laugh.

Why the laughter? You see, all I had to deal with yesterday was a little bit of cat urine. Disgusting? You bet! But, in light of the various struggles that others face on a daily basis, this is nothing.

There are people whose bodies are being ravaged by disease, malnutrition, lack of decent hygiene and health care.

There are people who have no clue where their next meal will come from.

There are people who have no idea how they will possibly be able to make their next mortgage payment…let alone cover their utilities.

There are people who have faced a great deal of loss.

There are people who are unemployed or underemployed…and the job market isn’t really picking up.

These are not the kinds of things we laugh about…

And, I have the audacity to pitch a fit over some cat urine?

So, today, I choose to laugh. Today I choose to give thanks (for things like a daughter who thinks it’s a riot to play in the cats mess!) and not let the small things explode into big things that take my focus off the One Thing that can turn a frustrating moment into a hilarious memory.

James 1:2-3  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Pslam 30:11-12  You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!